Wire bending apparatus



Jan. 15, 1957 R. H. STOHLQUIST 2,777,

WIRE BENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Jan. 15, 1957 STOHLQUIST 12,777,478

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1957 R. H. STOHLQUIST WIRE BENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 a a i WIRE BENDING APPARATUS Roger H. Stohlquist, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Odin Corporation, Rockford, Ill]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 10, 1955, Serial No. 480,642

11 Claims. (Cl. 140-105) .The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for bending wire articles and, more particularly, to a novel apparatus for forming undulated or zig-zag wire articles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus for forming wire stock into an undulated or zig-Zag shape in a rapid, continuous and economical manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus capable of simultaneously forming a plurality of wires into undulated or zigzag shapes whereby the rate of production may be substantially increased. A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus for forming zig-zag wire articles having transverse sections of predetermined measured lengths, which apparatus is also adapted to form the wire without unduly stretching such transverse sections.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the above described type which is of relatively simple and rugged construction so that the apparatus may be economically manufactured and maintained.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 11 in Fig. 2 and showing an apparatus embodying the principles of this invention; i

Fig. 2 is a simplified plan view of. the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view with the sprockets omitted for illustrating the manner in which the apparatus operates in greater detail;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the apparatus with the upper cam member removed;

Fig. 8 is a somewhat schematic side elevational view illustrating an apparatus embodying a modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the portion of the chain disposed between the sprocket wheels;

Fig. -10 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the operation of the structure in greater detail;

Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views illustrating links in the endless chain of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 13 illustrates a zig-zag wire which may be formed by the apparatus of this invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals through-' out the various figures, an apparatus 20 embodying one formof the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1

2,777,478 I Patented Jan. 15, 1957 stock, and upper and lower cam means 34 and 36 are provided for guiding the chainmeans to accomplish this.

result. in addition, pairs of retarding sprockets 38 and 39 mounted on suitably driven shafts 40 and 41 is pro-- vided for momentarily retarding the movement of the endless chain means around the sprockets 24 and 28,,

whereby the links of the chain means are caused to turn and bunch together to effect bending of the wire.

The chain means 22 includes a plurality of endless chains 42,. 44, 46, 48 and 56. These chains maybe of any standard link construction except that the adjacent links of all the-chains are connected by common elongated pins or shafts 52. At their opposite ends, the pins 52 carry still another pair of endless chains 54 and 56. Each one of these last mentioned endless chains in cludes alternately positioned inner and outer links 58 and 60. One of the above mentioned die blocks 3?. is suitably connected to each of the links 60 or alternatively the die blocks and links 60 may be of integral construction. By arranging a series of die blocks 32 at both sides of the chain means, two lengths of wire stock may be simultaneously formed by the apparatus.

As shown best in Fig. 5, each of the die blocks 32 is generally rectangular and is provided with a diagonal groove 62 in its outer face for receiving and retaining wire stock. It should be noted that each die block 32 is preferably disposed so that it extends transversely of its associated link 60 and so that the groove 62 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the link 60. This structure facilitates the insertion of the wire stock into the die blocks and then relatively sharply bending the wire to provide a zig-zag shape.

The upper and lower cam members 34 and 36 are provided with cam tracks for guiding the endless chain means so that the links and die blocks are bunched in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 to bend the wire. More specifically, the upper die member 34 is provided with a pair of identical outer cam tracks 64 and a pair of identical inner cam tracks 66. The lower cam member 36 is provided with a pair of identical outer cam tracks 68 adapted to cooperate with the cam tracks 64 and a pair of identical inner cam tracks 70 adapted to cooperate with the cam tracks 66. The endless chain means includes a plurality of rollers which are engageable with the cam tracks to reduce friction between the chain means and the cam members. As shown best in Fig. 7, rollers 72 and 74 are mounted on the pins 52 for engagement with the outer cam tracks and additional rollers "72 and 74 are mounted on the pins 52 for engagement with the inner cam tracks. It should be noted that the rollers are alternately positioned on the series of pins 52 for engagement with the outer and inner carn tracks and, as shown best in Figs. 5 and 6, the outer cam tracks are shaped within the length indicated by the bracket 76 to guide their associated rollers upwardly while the inner cam tracks are shaped to guide their associated rollers downwardly. In order to allow the links to be tightly bunched together, it should be noted that the rollers 72 The operation of the above described apparatus is as.

The apparatus 20 includes endless chain follows. Continuous wire stock 78 is fed from a suitable. source of, supply, not. shown, laterally. toward the die blocks on the continuous. endless chain means. Preferably, a pair of wires are directed simultaneously to the apparatus, as shown. in. Fig. 2, whereby the rate of production may be substantially increased: At each side of the apparatus, a guide roller 80 is provided for guiding the. wire stock into the die block grooves. It should be noted that the die blocks are positioned so that their grooves are in axial alignment for receiving the wire stock and this is accomplished by forming the cam tracks in the manner shown in.Fig. 6 within the length set off by bracket 82. The apparatus is, of course, driven by suitable means, not shown, and, as the endless chain advances toward the leftas viewed in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, the links are retarded by the slower moving sprockets 38 and 39 and are simultaneously directed by the cam tracks in the manner discussed above so that the links are turned and the chain is bunched to bend the wire. Any suitable means such as gears, drive chains and the like may be provided for driving the sprockets 24 and the retarding sprockets 3-3 and 39 in predetermined timed relationship to accomplish the result set forth above. Such drive means is shown in simplified form in Fig. 2 and includes one of these rollers is positioned at both sides of the apparatus and after the wire passes these rollers, it is withdrawn laterally from the apparatus by suitable means, not shown. The rollers 84 are preferably positioned to hold the wire while it moves the length set off by bracket 86 in Fig. 6 and a wire is withdrawn from the die blocks while the chain is still fully bunched and moving the length set olf by bracket 88. After the wire has been removed from the die blocks, the chain means is again straightened out as it leaves the retarding sprockets 38 and 39 and the cam tracks are suitably formed'within the length set oil by bracket 90 to facilitate straightening of the chain means.

in Figs. 8 through 12, there is illustrated an apparatus 94 embodying a slightly modified form of the present invention. This form of the apparatus includes an endless chain 96 which is wrapped around a driving sprocket 98 and an idler sprocket 100. The endless chain 96 includes alternately arranged links 102 and 104 connected by pins 1G6. As shown best in Figs. 11 and 12, the links N2 and 104 are provided with die block portions 108 and 110 having wire receiving grooves 112 and 114 therein. in the particular embodiment shown, the side of the chain opposite the die block carrying links is provided by links 116 of any standard construction. It is, however, contemplated that the links 116 may be replaced by die block carrying links to adapt the apparatus 94 for simultaneously bending two Wires. In order to bend the wire stock into the zig-zag shape illustrated in Fig. 13, the endless chain 96 is passed between a pair of meshing sprockets 11S and 120. As shown best in Fig. 10, the sprocket 118 is provided with a plurality of teeth 122 having recesses 12 in the ends thereof for receiving the pins 366 of the chain, and the sprocket 120 includes similar teeth having recesses 128 in the ends thereof. The sprockets 118 and 120 which are rotated in predetermined timed relationship with the rotation of the sprockets 98 and movement of the chain mesh together, as shown in Fig. 10, to turn the successive links in the chain alternately in opposite directions so that the links extend transversely of the path of travel of the chain whereby the wire is bent into the zig-zag shape. that the sprockets 118 and 120 engage the course of the It should be noted chain 96 which is placed under compression by the drive sprocket98and that-this course is confined by guides1'30 and 132. Thus, the links are pushed between the sprockets 118 and 120 rather than pulled so that turning or buckling of the links is facilitated. It is, of course, understood that suitable guide rollers, such as the above described guide rollers and 84, may be positioned at one or both sides of the chain 96 for guiding the wire stock into and. retaining the wire stock in the grooves of the die blocks.

From the above description,.it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel apparatus whereby wire stock may be undulated or formed into a zig-zag shape in a rapid and economical manner. More specifically, it is seen that the present invention has provided a relatively simple apparatus for continuously forming wire stock into zig-zag shapes and which apparatus is capable of simultaneously bending two lengths of wire stock.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the, spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An apparatus for undulating wire stock comprising a series of wire retaining members, means supporting said members for movement along an endless path of travel, and means disposed along said path of travel for successively turning said members transversely of said path of travel to undulate wire stock retained thereby.

2; An apparatus for undulating wire stock comprising a series of wire retaining members, means supporting. said members for movement along an endless path of travel, and means disposed along said path of travel for successively turning adjacent members in said series. transversely of said path of travel in opposite directions to form wire stock retained thereby into a zig-zag shape.

3. An apparatus for. undulating wire stock comprising a series of members for measuring and retaining successive portions of a length of wire stock, means supporting said members for movement along an endless path of travel, and means disposed along said path of travel for successively turning said members transversely of said. path. of travel to undulate wire stock retained thereby.

4. An apparatus for undulatingjwire stock comprising endless chain means, means movably supporting said endless chain means for movement along a predetermined path oftravel including a substantially straight path por tion, a series of wire stock retaining members carried by said endlesschain means, and means disposed along-said substantially straight path portion for successively turning saidmembers transversely of said substantially straight path portion to undulatewire stock retained thereby.

5. An apparatus for undulatingwire stock comprising a series of blocks havinglaterally opening groove means therein for receiving wire stock, means supporting said blocks for. movement along an-endless path of travel, and means disposed alongsaid path .of travel for successively turning said blocks transversely of said path of travel to undulatewire-stock received in said groove means.

6. An apparatus for undulating wire stock comprising a series of wire. retaining members, means supporting said members for movement along an endless path of travel, and cam. means disposed adjacent said path of travel for successively turningv said members transversely of said path of'travel to undulate wire stock retained thereby.

7. An. apparatusfor undulating wire stock comprising aseries ofmembers, each having means for receiving wire stock, means for supporting said members for movement alongan endless path of travel, means disposed adjacent said path of travel for turning said members to position said wire. stock receivingmeans generally parallel to the direction of movement along saidpath of travel, means for. directing;vvirestockinto said parallelly positioned wire. receivingmeans, and mcansdisposed adjacent said.

5 path of travel for turning said wire receiving means transversely to said path of travel to undulate the wire stock.

8. An apparatus for undulating wire stock comprising movably mounted endless chain means, a series of wire retaining members carried by said endless chain means, and means including sprocket means disposed between opposite extremities of one reach of said chain means for turning successive portions of said endless chain means in opposite directions to undulate wire stock retained by said members.

97 An apparatus as defined in claim 8 which includes means for driving said sprocket means slower than a predetermined rate of movement of said endless chain means, said sprocket means being engageable with said endless chain means to retard the movement of said endless chain means thereby causing relative turning and bunchin g of successive portions of the endless chain means.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 which includes cam means engageable with said endless chain means to guide successive portions of the chain means for turning movement in opposite directions.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said sprocket means includes a pair of sprocket members engageable with said one reach of said endless chain means, said sprocket members being disposed on opposite sides of said one reach of said endless chain means and having meshing teeth so that the one reach of said endless chain means passing therebetween is formed into a zig-zag shape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 337,509 Laskey Mar. 9, 1886 410,611 Shellaberger Sept. 10, 1889 1,727,894 Moyer Sept. 10, 1929 2,071,584 Shippy Feb. 23, 1937 2,086,736 Palmer July 13, 1937 2,169,420 Jacobs Aug. 15, 1939 2,278,477 Nyberg Apr. 7, 1942 2,317,530 Holmes Apr. 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 631,501 Germany June 22, 1936 867,035 France June 30, 1941 

